A Missions Spotlight: Trinity Prison Ministry by Joel House

When? 2nd Saturday of each month

Where?  Parchman Men’s Prison; Sunflower County, MS;  90 minute drive from TBC.

How? Speak to Jimmy Jenkins, Lloyd Mitchell, or Joel House and then complete an application for the MS Department of Corrections and submit to a background check.

Why? To share the gospel of Jesus Christ

 By Joel House

Logistically, we go to Parchman on the 2^nd Saturday of each month, schedule-permitting.  We meet in Hernando @ 7am and drive to the prison in one vehicle.  We generally go in groups of 2-3 men.  Trinity Prison Ministries consists of men from our church and men from a Baptist church in Ripley, MS.  We typically meet the men from Ripley in Batesville and drive to Parchman from there.  Once at Parchman, we arrive at the Spiritual Life Center to learn which units we are permitted to visit on that day.

There’s no need to make visiting a maximum security prison seem attractive.  It’s difficult to imagine a more depressing place than Parchman Prison.  When you drive onto the property, the ominous nature of the place seems to envelope you.  This time last year it was the kind of place that I couldn’t imagine saying that I wanted to visit.  Today, I can tell a different story.

Of course, knowing that I can leave Parchman at any time is a great comfort.  The men incarcerated here don’t have that option.  Many will be here for the majority of their lifetime and others will never leave here.   We always keep in mind that the men in this place are here by their own crimes/sins.  Many of their sins are so heinous that I can’t bear to consider them, and I never ask them why they’re in prison.  It’s their sins that caused me to long consider whether I could work in this ministry.  When I considered how many of these men savagely hurt others, took their valued possessions, and even took lives; it gave me pause.  How could I proclaim God’s plan of salvation to men when I wasn’t certain that I wanted them to have that salvation?  I had to search my own heart and determine if I had any right to harbor that sentiment.

God’s Word has a way of cutting right to the point of any matter and I love that.  I finally came to peace with the understanding that I’m not the one to determine whether these men merit God’s grace.  God made that choice long ago as He demonstrated in the life of many men of the bible; such as King David, Peter, Paul, and others.  However, the most personal example of God’s grace is revealed in my own life.

Consider this; these inmates see ‘chaplains’ from many denominations and other religions.  As soon as we leave they may be visited by a Muslim, or representatives of other false religions.  That’s why it is critically important that they hear the gospel.  I once visited with an inmate who had a Bible, a Koran and a Jehovah’s Witness ‘bible’.  He showed me all 3 books and said something that I will never forget.  He said, “I know all of these books are ‘holy’ and I want to get the best teaching from all of them.  I just don’t know which one I should spend my time studying the most.”  Wow! I don’t always have the right answer to theological questions, but on this occasion it was easy.  We went straight to the source of truth; God’s Word.  I explained that all religions do not worship the same God.  We discussed our sin before a Holy God and this man confirmed to me that he was sinner who had great guilt.  Confined to that prison he had no means to atone for his guilt through his own good works, as prescribed in Islam and other false religions.  How was he to be saved in that place unless salvation is truly a gift of God as Jesus explains in John 6:37-44, as Paul explains in Ephesians 2, and throughout the scriptures?  After much conversation, this man seemed to be persuaded that the Bible was the only book that was 100% inspired by the one true & living God, who determined the only way to our salvation through His living Son.  We read through several scripture passages and just talked.  This man seemed so appreciative that I spent this time to help reveal the truth to him.  I left this man with literature and lot to think about.  I could see that he’d learned an exciting reason to set those other books aside and focus on the only true Word of God.  We prayed and I moved to the next inmate.

It later occurred to me that as I walked out of the unit that day that this man could be visited that very day by a representative of a false religion.  Would this man be persuaded by these false teachers?  I am comforted by the knowledge that the work of salvation is entirely of God, but I left there with a burden to return and learn which type of soil that this gospel seed fell upon.  There’s a big part of why we go back.  Even in my bumbling delivery, failure to find the right word, or lack of knowledge; God will use what we bring to His service for the furtherance of His Kingdom.  That God chooses to use us in this way is a great mystery and privilege.

Many of these men have expressed gratitude that we would choose to spend our Saturday with them in prison.  We’ve been told countless times how much they appreciate our willingness to visit them.  I know the mere fact that we take the time to visit them is one reason that many of them are persuaded that we’ve got a message worth hearing.  We’re not always received with acceptance though.  Many men choose not to greet us, turn their backs on us, or reject any conversation.  Gospel rejection is to be expected here.  Given the lack of acceptance of the gospel message here; consider what it is like for the believers here.  We’ve seen many men saved here and truly living for Christ, and we want to provide them encouragement to continue in their faith.  Believers take daily harassment here and really enjoy talking to a fellow believer about the things of God.  It is an opportunity for us to be that encouragement for fellow believers, and another reason to keep going back.

If you’re an adult man with a clean criminal background, please prayerfully consider this ministry.

All in His Time

Arms around the World

Over the next month or so, we want to highlight some ministries that our church supports, and we encourage you to read each of these blogs prayerfully and carefully to see how the Lord would have you give of your talents, time, and/or treasure.  Missions/outreach is more than just traveling overseas to bring the gospel to the unreached, missions begins here at home with you and me. Herb Hodges said, “The light that shines farther shines brightest at home.” We must each do our part here in every way that we are able as we continue to send the gospel overseas.  Please make sure you are not only tithing to the Lord, but also giving to our missions budget so that we can support both local, national, and international ministries.  Just as important – get involved in making disciples where you are.

Bill and Sandy have been a part of our church family for close to 4 years.  They have been a vital asset to our missions work in Latin America, and subsequent partnerships that we have in Honduras and our relationships in Paraguay.  The Lord has worked through them to help us connect to Gustavo Valledares, a church planter in Honduras.  We also have a new partnership with the church in Danli, Honduras, one of many churches that Gustavo has planted. We will be taking our third trip to La Esperanza, Honduras in March to work alongside missionaries Samuel and Sonja Aguilar, who we also support.  Bill and Sandy have known Samuel and his wife for years.  They are passionate about the Lord and reaching people for Christ, not only in Latin America but here at home as well. They have served at the Memphis Union Mission each month, made quilts for the children’s home in Paraguay, and served in Awana to name a few.  We thank the Lord for Bill and Sandy.

On October 6, Bill and Sandy will share with our church concerning this new chapter in their lives, and as a church we will prayerfully send them off with our full support.  October 20th will be their last Sunday with us. We are planning a fellowship on Sunday night, Oct 20th, following the PM service.

The following blog is a bit of a preview of what the Lord is doing in their lives.

All in In His Time

 by Bill and Sandy Stevener

For about a year now, having left TPI, we have been working where we are, wondering what God had lined up for us next. Were we going to stay in Mississippi assisting in missions and women’s ministries at Trinity and providing computer assistance at Northpoint Christian School (formerly SBEC), or were we going to go somewhere else. We wanted to be sure we satisfied two conditions: working in areas where we have skills and passion, and working in an area where there is a great need. We were using a saying we learned from Vance Pitman at Hope Baptist Church: ministry rides on the rails of relationships.

Through a series of relationships that we are confident were orchestrated by God, we came in contact with Latin America Mission (LAM). LAM’s focus is to partner with existing ministries in Latin America, providing assistance as necessary.

After much prayer and discussion, we completed the application process with LAM and know that God is now calling us to work with Su Refugio in Paraguay. Su Refugio is a Christian home in Paraguay that takes in children from abusive and drug-using families. Scott Kvandal, an engineer from San Diego, started Su Refugio several years ago by building a small dormitory, dining area, church and amphitheater, and has recently added a Center of Hope which helps train women with skills to help sustain their families; an elementary school is also being developed.

Bill will be assisting Pastor Pablo with the church on the campus at Su Refugio, as well as home churches that are starting in the neighboring town of Tobatí. Bill will also be working with Pastor Alcides to teach and develop course for the Bible college Alcides has already started. Sandy will be working primarily in the Center for Hope, helping women in Tobatí and another town, Caacupé, learn sewing and cooking, and also with starting practical businesses out of their homes. Together, we will be coordinating visiting mission teams and leading marriage retreats for towns in the surrounding areas.

We have put our house up for sale, plan to sell both cars and most of our furniture and put a few things in storage. We are planning a trip to see family and friends in Las Vegas, California and New Mexico, followed by a four week intercultural course in North Carolina. We’re looking to move to Costa Rica in mid-December to sharpen our Spanish skills, and then on to Paraguay, probably in early June.

These are definitely exciting times for us. Please pray for us, giving thanks to God for making our plans as clear as He has, and that all goes well as we transition to our new lives in Paraguay.

How to Pray for the Stevener’s:

* for transition to Paraguay and new responsibilities

* to understand the people they will be serving

* to give toward their ministry fund

Contact Info:

Bill@Stevener.org

Sandy@Stevener.org

702-866-9548 (works wherever they are!)

BillAndSandyStevener.blogspot.com

www.LAM.org/Missionaries/Stevener

Must Every Christian Evangelize?

 By Timothy Beougher Print

Church members sometimes wonder if they should just leave evangelism to the “professionals.” After all, isn’t evangelism a spiritual gift?

In this article I offer quick guide for pastors to know how to answer them.

ANSWERING TWO COMMON ARGUMENTS

Must every Christian evangelize? The scriptural answer is “yes.” But I have encountered two main reasons for why some argue the answer is “no.”

1. The Great Commission was only given to the apostles and therefore does not apply to us today.

First, some argue that the Great Commission was only given to the apostles and therefore does not apply to us today. While it is true that contextually the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) was given to the apostles, it was not only for the apostles. The command “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” certainly includes the command to make disciples. D.A. Carson notes that the Great Commission does not record Jesus saying to the apostles, “. . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, except for this commandment to make disciples. Keep their grubby hands off that one, since it belongs only to you, my dear apostles.”[1]

What had Jesus commanded the apostles? Among many other things, he commanded them to preach the gospel to the whole creation. So this command of Jesus given to the apostles also applies to every believer today. In addition, should we try to limit Jesus’ promise “I am with you always, to the end of the age,” as only applying to the apostles, or does it apply to us today?  Certainly it applies to us today!

2. Since only some people have the “gift of evangelism,” not everyone is obligated to witness.

Second, some claim that since only some people have the “gift of evangelism,” not everyone is obligated to witness. Space prohibits a full discussion on the topic of “the gift of evangelism,” but a few observations are in order.

First, evangelism is not recorded in the common spiritual gifts listings in Scripture; instead, the office of evangelist is mentioned in Ephesians 4:11. Some (myself included) question whether “evangelism” should be seen as a distinct spiritual gift, such as giving, serving, and so on.

In addition, even if evangelism is a spiritual gift, it is also a command for all believers, just like giving, serving, and so on. Not having “the gift of evangelism” does not excuse a believer from his or her call to share Christ with others.

FOUR BIBLICAL REASONS WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD EVANGELIZE

Does Scripture mandate that every believer should evangelize? I argue “yes,” for the following four reasons.

1. The commands to witness are given to all followers of Christ

First, the commands to witness are given to all followers of Christ. Acts 1:8, for example, reads, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This verse gives a command from the risen Lord to all his followers. As John Stott argues, “We can no more restrict the command to witness than we can restrict the promise of the Spirit.”[2]

In writing to the Corinthian believers, Paul maintained,

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

It’s not only apostles that have the ministry of reconciliation and the role of Christ’s ambassadors—all believers do! Other verses that reflect on this ministry of witness for all believers include Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:15, Philippians 2:14-16, Colossians 4:5-6 and 1 Peter 2:9.[3]

2. The example of “ordinary believers” in the early church

Second, consider the example of “ordinary believers” in the early church. As we follow the storyline of the early church it is obvious that the apostles sought to evangelize and disciple others. But we see ordinary believers sharing the gospel as well.

Following the stoning of Stephen we read in Acts 8:1, “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” And what did those ordinary believers do?  Acts 8:4 tells us:  “Now those who were scattered went about preaching (euangelizomenoi) the word.” They went about sharing the gospel with others.

Noted historian Kenneth Scott Latourette makes this observation about the spread of the gospel:

The chief agents in the expansion of Christianity appear not to have been those who made it a profession or a major part of their occupation, but men and women who earned their livelihood in some purely secular manner and spoke of their faith to those whom they met in this natural fashion.[4]

3. The stewardship the gospel imposes on us.

Third, consider the stewardship the gospel imposes on us. Jesus reminds us, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48). We have been given no greater gift than the gospel, and we have no greater stewardship than to share that message of good news with others. Paul expresses it well in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “for the love of Christ controls us.”

4. The “work of ministry” in Ephesians 4.

Finally, consider what Paul calls “the work of ministry” in Ephesians 4. In this chapter Paul notes different offices in the church (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers). He declares part of the reason God “gifts” the church with such leaders is so they will “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). And we should certainly include evangelism in “the work of ministry.”

Ephesians 4 raises a challenge for pastors: Are we training our people to do evangelism? Are we setting an example for them in our own personal evangelism? Some people run from the idea of evangelism because they assume it means they must be obnoxious and pushy. There are many approaches to sharing the gospel. The only fixed method is the message: telling others about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

LEAD BY EXHORTATION AND ESPECIALLY EXAMPLE

Pastors, we can say to our people with confidence, “you are called to be a witness for Christ in both word and deed.” As leaders, let us challenge other believers not only with our exhortations but also with our example.[5] And let us take great confidence in the gospel, “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

Tim Beougher has served as the Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and Associate Dean of the Billy Graham School at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 1996. He is the author of numerous works, including Richard Baxter and Conversion (Christian Focus, 2007) and Overcoming Walls to Witnessing (BGEA, 1993).

[1] D.A. Carson, “Ongoing Imperative for World Mission,” in The Great Commission:  Evangelicals and the History of World Missions, edited by Martin I. Klauber and Scott M. Manetsch (Broadman & Holman, 2008), 179.

[2] John R.W. Stott, Our Guilty Silence (Inter-Varsity Press, 1967), 58.

[3] While the context of 1 Peter 3:15 is what can be called “passive evangelism” (responding to a question that an unbeliever asks), this command is clearly given to all believers “to be ready” to answer when asked.

[4] Kenneth Scott Latourette, A History of the Expansion of Christianity (Harper & Brothers, 1937), 1:116.

[5] Among the many helpful resources for personal evangelism, I highly recommend:  Will Metzger, Tell the Truth; Mark Dever, The Gospel & Personal Evangelism; and J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.